Josh Hart Buys Stake in Napoli Basketball Club
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart has acquired a stake in the Italian club Napoli, transitioning from an NBA champion to a team owner.
Per the press release: “Hart joins alongside business partner and co-host of the highly popular “Roommates” podcast Matt Hillman and will serve on Napoli Basketball’s Board in a strategic role. Hart and Hillman will support the club’s commercial, sporting and social growth.
“Napoli is a great underdog story and reminds me of what we have built with the Knicks in many ways,” said Josh Hart. “It is a project built around hard work, big dreams and the incredible passion Napoli fans have for their team. I’ve been coming to Naples and the Amalfi Coast for years, and I know what a fanbase like this can mean to a team. Seeing this club already making noise in the EuroCup tells you where it’s headed.” Hart continued, “Matt Rizzetta and the team at Underdog Global Partners have high ambitions with a real plan for where this club is going. The Napoli journey is still very much in the first quarter, so I am excited to be a part of building this into something truly special in the years ahead.”
The ownership consortium is headed by Underdog Global Partners (UGP), which secured Napoli Basketball 2025, alongside Predictive (PVP), a New York City-based investment firm that has held a minority stake since 2026. As the principal owner and operator, UGP has overseen the club’s return to European competition and the establishment of its women’s team. In August 2026, Napoli Basketball obtained conditional approval to join the Euroleague as an expansion franchise, and in September, it presented plans, backed by the City of Naples, to build a new state-of-the-art arena.
“Josh represents Napoli and the tens of millions of proud Neapolitans across the world,” said Matt Rizzetta, President of Napoli Basketball and Founder of Underdog Global Partners. “His dedication, humility and perseverance are what the Napoli venture is all about. He has the heart of a champion just like our Napoli fans do, and I am certain this is the beginning of a beautiful love story between Josh and our fans.””
While financial details remain undisclosed, the deal represents the 31-year-old’s largest private business venture to date and secures him a position on the board of directors.
“I’ve always wanted to be a part owner of a franchise,” the Maryland native shared with Sportico. “And now, my 10th year in the NBA, I feel like I’ve grown my brand to where I wanted to be, and now it’s about taking the next step. For me, that next step is obviously in sports ownership.”
“Josh is an underdog guy,” Rizzetta told Front Office Sports. “He’s a champion who is a rags to riches story. And the New York to Naples connection is really important to us.”
Official announcements on Friday concluded weeks of speculation. Earlier this month, Hart revealed he had been in discussions with Rizzetta since the summer, citing his regular visits to Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
Hart has joined a group of backers that includes Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal. His involvement comes during a strong start on the court for the 2026–27 continental and domestic campaigns. Napoli currently holds a 6–1 record in Italy’s Serie A Sisal Club Regular Season and a 7–0 tally in Group C of the BKT EuroCup Regular Season. The club is expected to enter the EuroLeague next year with a three-year license.
